Van Halen Still Young, But Fans Are Certainly Older
Van Halen Still Young, But Fans Are Certainly OlderKBTX Blog Listing
Van Halen Still Young, But Fans Are Certainly Older
Topic Author: Joe Brown
Posted: 9:42 PM Feb 1, 2008
Replies Posted: 8 comments
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Happy to report the eye is better and Van Halen was great! However times have certainly changed. And not just with the band. Here are some examples:

# 1 The last album recorded by this Van Halen version (the one with David Lee Roth) was titled "1984." From the looks of some of the attire I saw, some fans believed it was still 1984. Didn't see too many mullets, but there were some outfits probably best left in the back of the closet.

#2 When I first saw the band in 1982, the cost of a ticket was $13. Tickets to this tour were $50, $80 and $130. Enough said.

#3 After making it to our seats, I overheard a conversation between two guys in front of us. Know what they were talking about? Not hod rods and girls, but...Hilary and Obama!

#4 Saw lots of guys with their young sons in tow. Maybe this is a reflection of Eddie Van Halen now playing guitar side by side with his 16-year old son Wolfgang. Maybe it's just a dad eager to see if his boy connects to music that reminds him of his childhood.

#5 No smell of marijuana smoke. Thank goodness.

#6 Rowdy behavior kept to a minimum. Sure there were a few who had one to many $7 warm beers. But by and large, people were pretty behaved.

#7 Van Halen took the stage around 8:30 p.m. By 10, I began to notice people leaving. Fans, who as teens would've rocked on until the morning light, now have families and jobs to consider.

#8 Holding up a Bic lighter to beg for an encore has been replaced with holding up an opened (and thus lit) cell phone.

I could go on, but you get the picture. While Van Halen has certainly gotten older, the signs of age are more apparent with us, the fans of Van Halen.

 

 

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  • by frank Location: chappell hill on Aug 25, 2009 at 04:50 PM
    is it true that at all van halen concert venues, fans can sign up for membership in aarp?
  • by Walker Location: Houston on May 27, 2008 at 09:20 PM
    Joe, I hope you wore your fake mullet!
  • by J. Scott Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 4, 2008 at 05:52 PM
    Although I am a little older (ok a lot), it was incredible to see VH after all these years (to bad Mike was not there). Rock and Roll has an essence to it and that should never go away even though we do age. Party till you can't - always stay young at heart and don't take yourself to seriously. That stated, I felt like I was 22 again. The band absolutely jammed. The only thing that changed in my opinion was Dave's switch of interest in genders and no more butt in your face kind of antics. Too bad Ed is having problems again he is the best when he is on - the R&R lifestyle does bite back hard if you let it. I hope he gets better. Best to you Joe and keep us in the know on the best "Metal" band ever. Your buddy Dr. JSU.
  • by LaFayne Location: McKinney on Feb 23, 2008 at 08:11 PM
    Joe - I loved reading your blogs. This one is absolutely hilarious. I will have to call you one day so I can get the full scoop on the concert..... I remembered after all these years that you really liked Van Halen. :) Oh, by the way - I think I saw that Olan Mills email with the pics and it is pretty funny.
  • by Brenda Location: Brenham on Feb 15, 2008 at 10:28 PM
    JOE!!! YOU ROCK!!! My very first concert was Van Halen in Jackson Ms 1984!!! Haven't had the pleasure of seeing 'him' again. Glad to know some things have changed though.
  • by dell Location: waco on Feb 13, 2008 at 08:57 PM
    Well at least you have good memories of your band...some of us were forced by girlfriends at the time to see Hootie and the Blowfish...don't think I'll be going to their shows decades later...
  • by Oakey Location: Omaha on Feb 2, 2008 at 06:45 PM
    Joe. the big question is what did you wear? Parachute pants? Tight..early 80's concert shirt? Probably both. Van Halen comes this way in the summer..haven't decided if I want to see them or remember how they were back in the day. On another note...when are Bruffett..D-Wayne and Wilson going to get blogging? I need my Aggie fix up here in the frozen tundra of Nebraska!
  • by Barbara Location: Bryan on Feb 2, 2008 at 04:11 PM
    Thanks, Joe, for the report. I wish I could have seen some of those outfits... but I have a feeling I know what they look like. Chances are good if it wasn't a good look on a 15-year-old body, it's probably not a good look on a 40-year-old body! And, the first time I saw the cell phones instead of lighters, it took me a moment to figure it out. Guess I'm showing my age, too. Glad you had fun. But tell me... how was the music? Did Dave do any gymnastics, or has he lost some flexibility with age?
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